College enrollment has declined steadily in the United States in recent years. With rising tuition costs and surging student debt, enrollment rates have fallen at an average of nearly 2% a year since 2010. While four years of higher education may not be for everyone, Americans without a bachelor’s degree tend to be far more limited in their career opportunities, job security, and earning potential.
Nationwide, an estimated 32.1% of American adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Educational attainment rates vary considerably across the country, however, and in nearly every state, there is at least one city where the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is well below the national average.
Using education data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the least educated city in every state. It is important to note that Burlington is the only city in Vermont with sufficient data and ranks as the least educated city in the state by default only.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among adults with a four-year college education was 5.5% 2020. Meanwhile, the jobless rate among those with no more than a high school diploma was 9.0%. In the vast majority of the cities on this list, the five-year average unemployment rate is higher than the comparable rate across the state as a whole.
In addition to being better protected from unemployment, Americans with a bachelor’s degree also tend to have higher salaries. The average weekly wage for a college-educated worker in the United States is about 67% higher than it is for those with no more than a high school diploma. And in cities with low educational attainment, incomes also tend to be lower than average. In all but four cities on this list, the typical household earns less in a year than the statewide median household income.
Click here to see the least educated in every state.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
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Alabama: Bessemer
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.4% (Alabama: 25.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,849 (Alabama: $36,567)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,403 (Alabama: $50,516)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 13.0% (Alabama: 4.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.4% (Alabama: 2.1%)
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Alaska: Fairbanks
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.2% (Alaska: 29.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $43,218 (Alaska: $46,748)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,970 (Alaska: $57,703)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% (Alaska: 5.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% (Alaska: 2.2%)
Arizona: San Luis
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.4% (Arizona: 29.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $21,059 (Arizona: $38,470)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $32,288 (Arizona: $52,892)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 13.2% (Arizona: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.5% (Arizona: 2.7%)
Arkansas: Paragould
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.4% (Arkansas: 23.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,330 (Arkansas: $34,326)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,588 (Arkansas: $47,466)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.9% (Arkansas: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Arkansas: 1.8%)
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California: Bell Gardens
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.4% (California: 33.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $23,815 (California: $42,682)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $31,947 (California: $63,230)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.8% (California: 5.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.3% (California: 3.4%)
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Colorado: Pueblo
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.9% (Colorado: 40.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,703 (Colorado: $44,317)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,644 (Colorado: $54,487)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.9% (Colorado: 3.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% (Colorado: 2.5%)
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Connecticut: Waterbury
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.7% (Connecticut: 39.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,057 (Connecticut: $50,752)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $51,739 (Connecticut: $64,843)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.4% (Connecticut: 5.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% (Connecticut: 2.9%)
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Delaware: Dover
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.3% (Delaware: 32.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,677 (Delaware: $42,893)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,385 (Delaware: $57,420)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.2% (Delaware: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.6% (Delaware: 2.7%)
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Florida: West Little River
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.7% (Florida: 29.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,857 (Florida: $35,212)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,845 (Florida: $47,440)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% (Florida: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.6% (Florida: 2.9%)
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Georgia: LaGrange
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.5% (Georgia: 31.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,041 (Georgia: $38,822)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,142 (Georgia: $53,783)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.6% (Georgia: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% (Georgia: 2.6%)
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Hawaii: Waipahu
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.1% (Hawaii: 33.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,408 (Hawaii: $42,588)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,701 (Hawaii: $51,652)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.3% (Hawaii: 3.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.6% (Hawaii: 2.0%)
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Idaho: Caldwell
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.7% (Idaho: 27.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,157 (Idaho: $35,182)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,504 (Idaho: $45,248)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.6% (Idaho: 3.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.0% (Idaho: 2.1%)
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Illinois: Cicero
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0% (Illinois: 34.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,151 (Illinois: $43,390)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,590 (Illinois: $58,803)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% (Illinois: 4.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.8% (Illinois: 2.7%)
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Indiana: East Chicago
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1% (Indiana: 26.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,648 (Indiana: $38,842)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $30,977 (Indiana: $50,751)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.5% (Indiana: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% (Indiana: 1.9%)
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Iowa: Clinton
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.5% (Iowa: 28.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,041 (Iowa: $40,729)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,157 (Iowa: $51,947)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.5% (Iowa: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.8% (Iowa: 1.4%)
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Kansas: Dodge City
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.6% (Kansas: 33.4%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,992 (Kansas: $40,100)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,796 (Kansas: $50,394)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.9% (Kansas: 3.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.7% (Kansas: 1.7%)
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Kentucky: Henderson
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.6% (Kentucky: 24.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,703 (Kentucky: $36,832)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,903 (Kentucky: $49,743)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.8% (Kentucky: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.8% (Kentucky: 2.1%)
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Louisiana: Marrero
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.3% (Louisiana: 24.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,346 (Louisiana: $37,323)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,797 (Louisiana: $50,018)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.0% (Louisiana: 5.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.9% (Louisiana: 2.4%)
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Maine: Lewiston
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.3% (Maine: 31.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $33,116 (Maine: $38,146)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,214 (Maine: $45,866)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% (Maine: 3.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% (Maine: 1.6%)
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Maryland: Dundalk
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.9% (Maryland: 40.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $39,469 (Maryland: $51,811)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,563 (Maryland: $64,348)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.4% (Maryland: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% (Maryland: 2.4%)
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Massachusetts: Lawrence
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.8% (Massachusetts: 43.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,644 (Massachusetts: $51,928)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,893 (Massachusetts: $63,834)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.4% (Massachusetts: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% (Massachusetts: 2.5%)
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Michigan: Lincoln Park
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.4% (Michigan: 29.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,710 (Michigan: $39,351)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,135 (Michigan: $53,617)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% (Michigan: 4.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% (Michigan: 2.3%)
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Source: Courtesy of City of Brooklyn Center, MN
Minnesota: Brooklyn Center
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.3% (Minnesota: 36.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,356 (Minnesota: $45,212)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,475 (Minnesota: $58,085)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.7% (Minnesota: 3.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.0% (Minnesota: 1.7%)
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Mississippi: Horn Lake
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.8% (Mississippi: 22.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,337 (Mississippi: $32,892)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,560 (Mississippi: $43,511)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.8% (Mississippi: 6.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% (Mississippi: 2.8%)
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Missouri: Grandview
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.4% (Missouri: 29.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $33,450 (Missouri: $38,322)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,776 (Missouri: $50,042)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.7% (Missouri: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Missouri: 1.9%)
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Montana: Great Falls
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.4% (Montana: 32.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,100 (Montana: $35,249)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,020 (Montana: $42,388)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.4% (Montana: 3.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.8% (Montana: 2.0%)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Nebraska: Fremont
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.3% (Nebraska: 31.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,161 (Nebraska: $40,341)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,958 (Nebraska: $50,424)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.1% (Nebraska: 2.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.3% (Nebraska: 1.4%)
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Nevada: Sunrise Manor
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.6% (Nevada: 24.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,558 (Nevada: $37,865)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,880 (Nevada: $49,770)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.5% (Nevada: 5.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.2% (Nevada: 3.4%)
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New Hampshire: Rochester
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.7% (New Hampshire: 37.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,350 (New Hampshire: $46,221)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,229 (New Hampshire: $57,385)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.6% (New Hampshire: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.4% (New Hampshire: 1.9%)
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New Jersey: Camden
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.8% (New Jersey: 39.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,540 (New Jersey: $51,195)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $34,063 (New Jersey: $66,241)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 11.8% (New Jersey: 4.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.6% (New Jersey: 3.0%)
Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons
New Mexico: South Valley
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.0% (New Mexico: 27.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,349 (New Mexico: $33,514)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $36,458 (New Mexico: $45,594)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.6% (New Mexico: 5.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.8% (New Mexico: 2.9%)
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New York: Brentwood
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.9% (New York: 36.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,927 (New York: $45,479)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,657 (New York: $61,606)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% (New York: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.2% (New York: 2.9%)
Source: Courtesy of The City of Thomasville, NC - Government
North Carolina: Thomasville
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.2% (North Carolina: 31.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,155 (North Carolina: $37,443)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,240 (North Carolina: $50,523)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.3% (North Carolina: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.4% (North Carolina: 2.4%)
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North Dakota: Williston
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.2% (North Dakota: 30.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $51,962 (North Dakota: $43,752)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,320 (North Dakota: $51,227)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.0% (North Dakota: 2.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (North Dakota: 0.9%)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Ohio: Marion
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.9% (Ohio: 28.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,668 (Ohio: $39,722)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,011 (Ohio: $53,703)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.5% (Ohio: 4.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.4% (Ohio: 2.0%)
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Oklahoma: Shawnee
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.6% (Oklahoma: 25.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,564 (Oklahoma: $36,575)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,352 (Oklahoma: $47,016)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.3% (Oklahoma: 4.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% (Oklahoma: 1.9%)
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Oregon: Grants Pass
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.8% (Oregon: 33.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,331 (Oregon: $39,212)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,937 (Oregon: $51,224)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.5% (Oregon: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% (Oregon: 2.7%)
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Pennsylvania: Lebanon
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.8% (Pennsylvania: 31.4%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,832 (Pennsylvania: $41,947)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,201 (Pennsylvania: $54,358)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.0% (Pennsylvania: 4.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% (Pennsylvania: 2.4%)
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Rhode Island: Woonsocket
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.8% (Rhode Island: 34.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,505 (Rhode Island: $45,211)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,500 (Rhode Island: $56,642)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% (Rhode Island: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.7% (Rhode Island: 2.6%)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
South Carolina: North Charleston
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 22.8% (South Carolina: 28.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,182 (South Carolina: $36,088)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,193 (South Carolina: $49,440)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.2% (South Carolina: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% (South Carolina: 2.2%)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
South Dakota: Aberdeen
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.3% (South Dakota: 28.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $38,143 (South Dakota: $37,880)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,944 (South Dakota: $45,948)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.9% (South Dakota: 2.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.7% (South Dakota: 1.0%)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Tennessee: Morristown
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.9% (Tennessee: 27.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,625 (Tennessee: $36,823)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,602 (Tennessee: $49,236)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.6% (Tennessee: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% (Tennessee: 2.2%)
Source: Courtesy of Google Maps 2017
Texas: Balch Springs
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.2% (Texas: 29.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,522 (Texas: $40,031)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,239 (Texas: $56,363)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.7% (Texas: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.9% (Texas: 2.7%)
Utah: Magna
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7% (Utah: 34.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,350 (Utah: $40,735)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,156 (Utah: $50,195)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.4% (Utah: 2.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.2% (Utah: 1.8%)
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Vermont: Burlington*
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 53.3% (Vermont: 38.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $39,173 (Vermont: $40,321)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,546 (Vermont: $44,606)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.9% (Vermont: 2.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% (Vermont: 2.0%)
*Because Burlington is the only eligible city in Vermont, it is the least educated by default.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Virginia: Danville
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.6% (Virginia: 38.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,246 (Virginia: $46,012)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,932 (Virginia: $60,520)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.7% (Virginia: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.2% (Virginia: 2.3%)
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Washington: Spanaway
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.9% (Washington: 36.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $43,117 (Washington: $46,263)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,512 (Washington: $61,735)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.5% (Washington: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.6% (Washington: 2.5%)
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West Virginia: Parkersburg
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.3% (West Virginia: 20.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,587 (West Virginia: $34,438)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $34,523 (West Virginia: $44,906)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.3% (West Virginia: 5.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.8% (West Virginia: 2.2%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Racine
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.6% (Wisconsin: 30.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,071 (Wisconsin: $41,628)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,999 (Wisconsin: $52,686)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.1% (Wisconsin: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% (Wisconsin: 1.5%)
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Wyoming: Gillette
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.2% (Wyoming: 27.4%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $49,735 (Wyoming: $40,825)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $56,719 (Wyoming: $49,141)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.7% (Wyoming: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.6% (Wyoming: 1.9%)
Methodology
To determine the least educated city in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the percentage of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes 29,573 incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. Of those, 29,319 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
We defined cities based on a population threshold — having more than 25,000 people — and 1,774 of the places fell within this threshold.
Cities were then excluded if bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rates were not available in the 2019 ACS, if the city’s 25 and older population was less than 1,000, or if the sampling error associated with a city’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a city’s bachelor’s or higher attainment rate was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all cities’ bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rate. We similarly excluded cities that had a sampling error too high for their 25 and over population estimates, using the same definition.
The remaining 1,770 places were ranked within their state based on the share of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree.
Additional information on the median earnings of adults 25 and over holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, median earnings of adults 25 and over with all levels of educational attainment, unemployment rates for the 25-64-year-old population that have at least a bachelor’s degree, and unemployment rates for the 25-64-year-old population with all educational attainment levels are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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